Spurs' next January deal escalates at pace as Newcastle United receive £61m fresh transfer boost

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to complete their first January signing over the coming days following ‘positive contacts’ with a highly-rated Serie A defender.

With Cristian Romero on the sidelines until at least the end of the month, Ange Postecoglou is said to have prioritised a new centre-back during the transfer window and Genoa’s Radu Dragusin has been established as the leading target.

The 12-times capped Romania international made over 60 appearances for Genoa during an initial loan spell last season and following on from a permanent move to the Luigi Ferraris Stadium during the summer. However, Dragusin’s next port of call looking increasingly likely to be Spurs after journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed the North London club have made significant progress over a deal in the last 48 hours.

He posted: “Understand Tottenham had new positive contacts with Genoa for Radu Dragusin deal!  Deal advancing to final stages of the negotiations. Spurs hope to get the deal done next week as talks continue, it’s all on verbal proposals waiting for the final, official bid.”

The 3AM Verdict: There is no doubt Spurs need to strengthen defensively and a deal for Dragusin will help them fill a major void in their squad. The 21-year-old seems to fit the Postecoglou mould and still has room to improve over the coming years.

La Liga giants set for decision over Magpies target

Newcastle United were being linked with a move for Brazil winger Raphinha before he swapped life with Leeds United for a move to Barcelona.

Despite enjoying a successful first season in Catalonia as Barca won the La Liga title, speculation linking the former Whites winger with a move to Tyneside has never been too far from the headlines.  Although a winger may not be at the top of the Magpies list of priorities for the January transfer window, Barcelona could offer them a chance to sign £61m-rated Raphinha at the end of the season according to one report in Spain.

Sport have claimed the Catalan giants are ready to part ways with the winger and are ‘totally open’ to a sale during the summer transfer window - although Saudi club Al Hilal are also ready to make a move.

The 3AM Verdict: “With their injury crisis showing some signs of slowing and several key players closing in on a return, not to mention their ongoing battle with Financial Fair Play, it seems unlikely Newcastle would make a move for Raphinha during the January transfer window. The summer could be a different proposition - although there may have to be some serious negotiating with player and club to make a deal happen.”

Cottagers target makes future admission

Fulham target Vangelis Pavlidis has cast doubt over a potential move during the January transfer window.

The 36-times capped Greece international has hit a rich vein of form during the first half of the season by plundering his way to 22 goals and three assists in just 27 appearances for Dutch club AZ Alkmaar. His performances have reportedly attracted attention from the Cottagers and German club Borussia Monchengladbach.

However, the in-form striker has given an indication of how he views his immediate future panning out after revealing he would have been keen to leave his current employers last summer.

Speaking to De Telegraaf about the interest, Pavlidis said, “Are there things going on? I don’t talk about that now, I prefer to keep that to myself.

“It is clear that I am physically and technically ready to take the next step. The transfer window in the winter is of course different than in the summer. It is more difficult in several ways. That is why I don’t know whether this is the right time. Everyone knows that I wanted to take the next step last summer. In the end it was not the right time, because a suitable club did not present itself. I am very happy at AZ.”

The 3AM Verdict: "Fulham are believed to be in the market for another forward and there is no doubt Pavlidis is in fine form. But it seems he doubts whether a January move will come to pass, meaning the Cottagers may have to take their interest elsewhere."